Miracle Calico Cat Survives NorCal Wildfire With A Few Singed Whiskers

HAYFORK, Trinity County (CBS SF) -- If cats could talk, the saga of a kitty who miraculously survived a wildfire in Trinity County would be a harrowing one.

Ruthie Rosemary, a 3-year-old calico cat, jumped out of the car window when her owners were fleeing their home from the Fork Complex wildfire west of Redding. The feline couldn't have understood the danger -- lightning fire had already destroyed almost 20,000 acres, and her owners' home was under mandatory evacuation orders.

Debi and Jeff Brusatori would be gone five days, worrying about their house, and the fate of Ruthie Rosemary the whole time.

They finally returned to find their home badly burned. Apparently, the fire got so hot, it melted the aluminum off a truck parked nearby.

But from underneath the scorched vehicle, came a familiar sound. It was Ruthie Rosemary's "meow."

The truck was a total loss. Except for a few singed whiskers, Ruthie Rosemary was okay.

So far, the Fork Complex wildfire has charred 22,313 acres, destroyed 8 homes, and injured 3 firefighters. It is only 19% contained.  The wildfire consists of over 40 fires, all started by lightning on July 30.

READ MORE: CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES COVERAGE

CBSSF.com writer, producer Jan Mabry is also executive producer and host of The Bronze Report. She lives in Northern California. Follow her on Twitter @janmabr.